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The Scientific Council, which advises UK authorities on coronavirus issues, has stated “almost certainly” that the new strain is more easily transmitted from person to person than the old one. It was mentioned that the difference reaches 70 percent.
Until now, little is known about the new strain, as no detailed investigation has been carried out with this coronavirus, the BBC reports.
Why are these new varieties feared?
Researchers are drawn to the appearance of three factors:
– The virus quickly seizes the “zone of action” of other strains of the same virus;
– Mutations in the virus occur in key parts of it;
– Some of these mutations have shown a much better ability to affect cells under laboratory conditions.
Judging by these criteria, the researchers believe that this strain of the virus can spread much more easily between humans. It is true that absolutely solid facts do not yet exist for this, notes the BBC.
One of the hypotheses is that the new variety is more widespread only because “it is at the right time and place.” In London, for example, where, until very recently, there were more moderate second-tier restrictions.
The introduction of the most important restrictions is explained by the fact that the objective is to limit the spread of this particular strain of virus.
“It just came to our attention then. But will we wait weeks or maybe months? Probably not, given the current circumstances,” said Professor Nick Loman, spokesman for the UK Covid-19 genome consortium.
How fast is it spreading?
The new strain of coronavirus was first detected in September. Already in September, about 25 percent. Of all those infected in London, it was this strain of the virus. By mid-December, there were already more than 65 percent of them.
Studies in the laboratory have also shown that this strain of the virus is beginning to dominate over other Covid-19 coronaviruses.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the new variety could be 70 percent. more contagious, which means that the reproduction rate (which shows whether the number of infections is increasing or decreasing) can increase by as much as 0.4 points.
Professor Eric Voltz of Imperial College London also hinted at about 70 percent last week. He explained at the press conference: “It is still too early to draw conclusions, but from what we are seeing now, it is spreading very fast, much faster, so it is very important to be vigilant.”
Not to mention, there is no solid evidence that this virus is actually more contagious than its own previous strain. “The data we have on open access is far from sufficient to provide a clear and firm conclusion that viral contagion has increased,” Professor Jonathan Ball, a virologist at the University of Nottingham, told the BBC.
How widespread is this virus?
It is currently thought that this strain of the virus may have originated from a patient in the UK, or was ‘imported’ from another country where coronavirus mutations are not closely monitored.
The virus has been detected throughout Britain, with the exception of Northern Ireland, and its highest concentration is in London. It is noted that in other regions of the country “did not take root.”
The new strain has also been found in patients in Denmark, Australia, and the Netherlands.
Have coronavirus mutations occurred before?
The coronavirus first observed in the Chinese city of Wuhan is no longer the one now found around the world. The mutated strain of coronavirus, D614G, appeared in Europe in February and spread around the world.
Another strain, A222V, spread across Europe along with those on vacation in Spain this summer.
How did this virus arise?
This strain is characterized by an unexpected number of mutations. The most likely cause is that it occurred in a patient with a weakened immune system. Instead of fighting the virus, the human body has become a kind of “suitable environment” for the coronavirus mutation.
The researchers note that, under laboratory conditions, the virus spreads twice as fast as its predecessor. Preliminary research has shown that it contains up to 17 major changes that make it easier for the virus to “stick” to cells.
The changes are also likely to make it more difficult for patients to receive treatment for blood transfusions in people with Covid-19 infection.
So far, there is no evidence that this strain of the virus alters mortality rates. However, the mere fact that there are more patients can cause problems in hospitals. If the new virus spreads more easily, it will require more places in already crowded hospitals.
The good news is that the scientists are practically 100 percent. to ensure that currently licensed coronavirus vaccines work effectively, at least in the near future, even with this new strain.
It is true that scientists warn that “if we put a few more mutations to sleep, we can start to worry.” “This virus has the potential to circumvent the protection provided by the vaccine. It has already taken the first steps towards that,” said Ravi Gupta, a researcher at the University of Cambridge.
The worst case scenario is that the virus mutates so strongly that the vaccine becomes ineffective and Covid-19 continues to infect humans. This is perhaps the fear of the authorities of various countries that have assumed the “isolation” of Great Britain.
In Lithuania, not only the number of deaths from Covid-19, but also the number of so-called “excess deaths” is growing rapidly, according to the latest statistics. In November, according to preliminary data, the number of deaths in Lithuania increased by more than 30% compared to 2018-2019.
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